Criminal Defense Lawyers

Queens Federal Criminal Lawyers

If you’ve been indicted in federal court or you learn that you are under investigation for a federal crime, it is very important for you to understand the consequences of such circumstances. Federal charges are usually more serious than state charges and once convicted, the rules on federal sentencing will take effect. If you ever find yourself in such a situation do make haste and hire a Queens Federal Criminal Lawyer to handle your case.

When are federal charges filed

You can be indicted in federal court if it is believed that you have violated one or more of the federal laws that are found in the U.S. criminal code. Examples of federal crimes include:

• Federal white-collar crimes
• Mail fraud
• Federal drug crimes
• Wire fraud
• Internet crimes
• Tax crimes
• Terrorism
• Gun law violations
• Child pornography

If you are charged with any of the crimes listed above, you will need to hire a federal criminal lawyer. Here are our thoughts on the considerations that should guide your search for a proficient federal attorney to handle your case:

i. Hire the right kind of attorney

First, you need to make sure that you hire the right kind of lawyer to handle your case. For you to do this, you must at least get to know what you or your loved one has been charged with. For example, it would be unwise to hire a divorce lawyer to handle gun violation charges. In the same vein, don’t go for a generalist, try as far as possible to hire a specialist in the area of law that your case falls under. For example, if you have been indicted for gun violations, look for a federal defense attorney that has the expertise needed to handle your case.

ii. Hire a local defense attorney

An outside criminal defense attorney may not have a cordial relationship with the prosecutors and judges in your locality. A local defense lawyer is well-versed with the operations of law in your area. You need a lawyer who can combine the understanding of local and federal laws and use this understanding to mount a serious defense for your case.

iii. Hire a good communicator

An attorney is expected to communicate with you and with others. You need a lawyer who can argue your case in court and advise you on what you need to do. Your lawyer will also be expected to help you fill in all legal documents. Hiring a lawyer who is a good communicator will ensure that you get value for your money because the lawyer will break down legal jargon and make it plain so that you can understand what your chances are.

iv. Consider the reputation of the attorney

A good defense attorney will have a reputation that precedes him or her. You need to check online for reviews of the attorney or the law firm you hope to hire to represent you in federal court. You can also ask the lawyer or the law firm to furnish you with references which you can interview to ascertain if the lawyer is a good fit for your case.

v. Go for an experienced lawyer

An experienced lawyer is one who has been handling cases similar to yours for a while. The longer the years of experience the better. Do not entrust your case to an attorney who has no experience in federal court.

A final thought:

Hiring the right kind of federal defense attorney will increase your chances of winning your case. At NYC criminal Lawyers, our team of Queens Federal criminal Lawyers is reputable for representing clients in federal court. Contact us today for free consultation.

You’re Facing Federal Criminal Charges, Now What?

If you’re facing federal criminal charges, you may be in a state of confusion, shock, and disbelief. After all, we’ve all heard of federal crime cases on television and in the media. The very first thing that’s in order is getting in touch with a skilled federal criminal defense attorney. Before you panic, you’ll want to understand the charges and potential outcome of your case.

Another piece of useful advice is to avoid browsing forums and websites to determine what will happen in your scenario. Most cases are unique in nature and trying to guess the outcome of your case will most likely cause nothing but undue stress. While you may be tempted to speculate, it’s strongly advisable that you present the facts to an attorney first. They’ll look at the evidence and view it from a legal standpoint rather than your own personal point of view.

How to prepare for your consultation with an attorney:

You’ll want to gather all the documents that you feel are related to the matter. It’s also advisable to gather any documents that may not be directly related but could play a part in the matter. Creating a timeline of events and documenting them are also extremely helpful. You’ll want to include everything and not just the facts that will only show you in a positive light. Omitting information or presenting half-truths is strongly discouraged. Chances are, your attorney will have many questions relating to the matter. Preparing for any anticipated questions will also help speed along the process. It’s also a good idea to document any questions or concerns that you may have for the attorney. If there are witnesses involved, it’s a good idea to document their involvement and contact information.

Helpful steps you can take aside from consulting with an attorney:

While you’re under an exceptional amount of stress, you might want to consult with a counselor. They can help you sort out your emotions and get a better grasp on what has occurred and the root cause. This also shows that you’ve taken steps to better yourself even if you’re not guilty. Managing stress during these events will help you to prepare for the case and handle the matters with confidence. Therapists are also able to teach you coping mechanisms that will help you handle future instances of stress that may occur. Ruminating and obsessing over the events are all too common for those who don’t know how to handle their stress and emotions. This can lead to many pitfalls that may lead you to show yourself in a negative light.

After you’ve consulted with an attorney:

If you’ve hired an attorney, you’ve taken a huge step in preparing yourself for the case. Although you may still be working and living life as normal, it’s incredibly important to stay in touch with your attorney. If they request documentation or if you’ve gained new information, they’ll need this information as soon as possible. Failing to stay on top of things can significantly hurt your chances for success. Making each appointment is also incredibly important. After all, you’re paying the attorney for their services. You might as well get the most benefit for your money.

The dangers of self-representation:

There may be instances where the opposing party asks you for information or documentation without going through your attorney. It’s imperative that you always direct them to speak with your attorney. Also, any new documentation or notes that are relating to the matter should clearly be marked with “attorney-client privilege” across the top of the document in noticeable lettering. Attempting to represent yourself in a federal criminal matter without an attorney is strongly discouraged. Federal legal proceedings are much different than state court matters and are much more complex. An attorney that’s experienced in federal law is a must-have in any federal criminal matter.

Potential outcomes in federal criminal court matters:

It’s nearly impossible to predict the outcome of a federal criminal matter without knowing the specifics of the case. As previously stated, an attorney that has reviewed the case is the best resource one can have. For those who are interested in learning about the process, the federal courts website provides valuable information. Click here for the US Courts website. Often, a skilled attorney can beat or significantly reduce the charges that you may be facing. For more information, get in touch with us online or by telephone for your no-risk case evaluation, today.

Those who break federal criminal laws might be brought up on federal criminal charges. These accusations can be incredibly serious and can result in hefty fines and even time spent in prison. If you find yourself facing these charges, it’s important that you follow the advice below. Doing so will not only help you to plan for what happens next, but it will also help you to make better choices during the investigation.

Be Ready to Be Searched

It’s very likely that a search for evidence will be part of your overall experience with the criminal justice system. When a federal investigation is held, it’s very likely that the investigators will obtain a search warrant to search for specific items or information in your possession. It’s very important that you are aware of whether or not there is a search warrant and, if there is, what the warrant covers.

Once you know what the warrant covers, be prepared to be cooperative. Destroying or hiding evidence is considered an obstruction of justice, which is a separate federal charge. You do not, however, have to volunteer to hand over information or items that are not covered under the warrant. Cooperate when you must, but don’t allow the investigators to overstep their bounds.

Stay Quiet

If you have ever seen a police procedural, you have seen a police officer tell a suspect that he or she has the right to remain silent. This is not just standard boilerplate – it’s absolutely vital that you avail yourself of this right. Under no circumstances should you volunteer information or answer questions without your attorney present. Cooperation is good, but only when you are sure that your rights are being protected.

It is also necessary for you to stay quiet about the investigation when interacting with others. The more information you share with people outside of the investigation, the more potential witnesses against you there might be. This will be a good time to let your social media go dark and to make sure that you step away from your larger social circle. Keep information about the charges and the investigation to yourself to whatever degree you feel is possible.

Tell the Truth

There are certain circumstances in which you must speak. The investigators may ask a question that must be answered, or they may ask a question that your attorney feels is worth answering. If you find yourself in this situation, you need to be honest. The investigators may seem to rely on you to get information, but remember that they are also pursuing other avenues of investigation. If you lie, you can find yourself in very serious trouble.

A good rule of thumb is to answer questions without going outside of the scope of the question. If you can give a simple answer that doesn’t involve any other facts, do so. If you are not sure if you should be answering the question at all, make sure to talk with your attorney. Failure to do so can land you in even more trouble.

Hire a Lawyer

If you do nothing else during this process, make sure that you hire a lawyer. A good lawyer who has a history of dealing with federal criminal charges will help you to stay aware of your rights and make sure that you get through the investigation without doing anything that will get you in even more trouble with the law.

A good lawyer may not necessarily be able to prove that you are innocent, but he or she will help to make sure that the deck is not overly stacked against you. The lawyer will let you know when you need to cooperate and when it is in your best interest to stay silent. The attorney will also help you to understand when the investigators are overstepping their boundaries and when your rights might be threatened by certain actions.

There is no easy way to get past federal criminal charges. The most important thing you can do is to make sure that the investigation is conducted fairly and that your rights are respected during the process. Once that is done, you should be able to depend on your attorney to give you the kind of zealous representation that you deserve.